Hardened spring steel for picks

[Jacob Morgan]

Second the notion of trying different wheels, you could try 24 grit--that would be the most aggressive wheel available.

Motor power is best characterized by horse power. Assuming AC power, hp = (amps x volts x efficiency x power factor) / 746. Given that efficiency, power factor, and the denominator can be assumed to be constants across lock pick sized grinder motors, it means that hp is a direct proportion of amps x volts. Amps x volts = watts, and wattage is a measure of electrical power.

For residences, volts are what the power company provides, 110 in North America, 220 most other places. While it is correct that amps describes motor power, that is only correct for the same voltage. A 2 amp / 220 volt motor in someone's garage in, say, Germany would be more powerful than a 3 amp / 110 volt motor in the US. Wattage is a better measure of power.

[femurat]

what material you're using to make your picks?

I use street cleaning bristles and file them down with hand files.
In the rare occasions when I use hacksaw blades I use the grinder.

Cheers